ATLANTA - Arauco North American President Pablo Franzini has announced organizational changes at the giant composite panel producer.

Effective Jan. 1, Kevin Shotbolt, vice president of Domestic Sales, will transition to the role of advisor to the North America sales team for the first half of the new year.

Kevin Shotbolt

"Kevin's leadership in the composite panel industry over the past 38 years, his industry knowledge and passion have been key to the success and growth of both the legacy Flakeboard business and our current Arauco North America business," Franzini said. "I wish to acknowledge Kevin's crucial role in establishing our longstanding customer relationships and strong brand portfolios that have established Aracuo as an industry leader across Canada and the United States. We wish to thank him for his continued dedication during this transition."

Russ Jordan

Franzini also announced effective Jan. 1 Russ Jordan, vice president of Import Sales and Marketing, will lead the North America sales organization. Jordan has been with Arauco for 15 years and previously led the company's North American import business, encompassing the categories of moulding, plywood, lumber and import composite panels. During his tenure, Jordan has been instrumental in building Arauco's presence and success in the United States and Canada.

Arauco is a global manufacturer of composite panels, premium plywood, millwork, lumber and wood pulp. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the North American subsidiary operates 11 mills across the United States and Canada, and imports Arauco-produced moulding, plywood, lumber, composite panels and wood pulp. Earlier this year the company opened an 820,000-square-foot particleboard and lamination facility in Grayling Michigan, featuring North America’s largest-capacity, continuous single-line particleboard press.